Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: M, 1931-1932. A-71, folder 610. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

[top left] Name Miss Miriam Van Waters

Street & Number 7 Riedesel avenue

City Cambridge State Mass.

[top center] [stamp] CENSORED

[top right] Box 1112

Joliet, Illinois

Jan 11 1932

[left] Dear Friend

I received your most welcome letter about two weeks ago. I didn't expect a answer. I thought sure you would be in some [outher] part of the country, and didn't think it would get to you for at least a month.

You can sure bet all of us evere so happy when the Governor granted our request, and now I have got till February sometime that month anyway, and good hopes for the future. hope is one thing they can't keep me from doing. The greatest thing of all is they don't have any sayso over my soul. the good lord is the Judge.

So far the lord has showed great mercy concerning me, and why shouldn't he show mercy in the coming supreme court. If the lord be for us, who can be agenst us? My folks were up here Saturday and they can only stay for a couple hours, and I wish they could stay for a week. My cousin from Keokuk Iowa and some of my relation from there were up to see me

today.

They were in Chicago doing sompthing and stoped as they were going home.

The last of this month will make five months I have been in a cell by myself.

But if the good lord hadn't sent you I sure would not be in solitary now. But I would not be dead except in body for Jesus says in St. John the 11 chapter [&] the last part of the 25 & 26 verses, He that believe on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (25) and [whosever?] liveth and beliveth on me shall never die praise the lord for that.

We enjoyed christmas for the first time in its true meaning, knowing that on that day the light of the world was born

If I get out of this mess, and our lord tarries will you suggest some kinde of business I should [?]? I have plenty of reading material here but then I sleep all night and half of the day and always praying for another chance, and I never forget you in any of them. Well I guess we will be hearing things in February. And may God bless you as long as woodlands grow, and mighty rivers flow Ill be for ever faithfully yours, Russell

Russell McWilliams 5661

[top center] COPY LETTER

THE JUVENILE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION of CHICAGO 816 SOUTH HALSTED STREET

[top right] McWilliams file

[right] February 20, 1932

[left ] Miss Vivian Pierce American League to Abolish Captial Punishment 112 East 19th Street New York, N.Y.

Dear Vivian Pierce: -

I was sick when Mr. Darrow appeared before the Supreme Court at Springfield, and so could not go down. I have talked to him about it, and he thinks the hearing went fairly well, but is quite hopeless about the decision. He and I are going down some time next week to see the boy, and in the meantime he is trying to get a good psychiatrist to go down.

Of course, our Governor may be much more amenable to our appeals now since he is not going to run again for Governor.

I will let you know what happens next week.

[center] Faithfully yours,

(Signed) JESSIE F. BINFORD Executive Director

[hand-written note] I got this today, but will not [?] from CD x He'll be here this week x

[left] JFB:ED

[top left] Mr. Russell McWilliams -

[top right] [before February 27, 1932]

[left] My dear Russell McWilliams:

I must ask you to forgive my failure to answer your last letter promptly. It is not so much because I have been very busy, though that is true, as it is that i have been expecting definite word from friends in questions con. your case.

Miss Binford of Hull House who drove me out to see you has been ill. When we left Jolliet we got in touch with Mr. Clarence [Harrow?]. But I have heard no direct word from him since. I am writing him tonight.

In the meantime will you not write me at once just how your case stands before the court, who your lawyers are, and what is happening. I think of you a great deal and send you every good wish. The other matters in your letter concerning trades and occupations suitable and interesting to you I shall try to [answer?] when I hear from you again.

Since I saw you I have become Supt of the Mass. State Reformary for Women.

Ever [?] yours

[crossed out text on the bottom of the page] 6

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